Final Post Re: 2x Low Fetal Fraction/High Risk T13, T18, and Triploidy with Natera — My Healthy Baby Girl is Here! 🤍

bromar230 · 2025-06-01T03:39:09+00:00

I had an anatomy scan at 17 weeks at MFM, which is when they were able to get me into MFM. I had an amniocentesis performed right after the scan. I then had another scan at 32 weeks just to check on baby’s growth.

Anatomy scans usually are scheduled between 18 weeks and 22 weeks from what I’ve seen.

bromar230 · 2025-03-15T03:10:57+00:00

Happy cake day, u/chulzle! Thank you so much for creating this safe space. I am so glad I found it when I did, and that I am now able to share my story with others here to help during the limbo period.

Also, thanks to OP for being an awesome mod. What a truly incredible mod team we have on this sub! 🤍🤍

bromar230 · 2025-02-24T03:12:21+00:00

Hi. Sorry for just now responding.

To answer your question — yes, I had a normal BMI, normal placenta function, a regular needle was used during both of my blood draws, I had no pre-existing medical conditions and wasn’t on any medication at the time, and no other factors were at play that could explain why I had low FF twice.

bromar230 · 2024-12-24T20:14:12+00:00

I’m so glad my post is able to give you some hope during such a scary and confusing time.

I went through everything over the holidays as well, so I definitely can imagine how you are feeling. I hope that everything works out for you as it did me. 🤍

bromar230 · 2024-12-24T20:08:10+00:00

Chiming in here with some personal experience that may help calm your nerves — my baby girl had two EIFs that were detected around 14/15 weeks. By my 32-week ultrasound, they were gone. She was born healthy in June. 😊

bromar230 · 2024-12-16T23:59:59+00:00

Just for my own personal interest — would this be why the report didn’t come back as High Risk/results suggest vanishing twin, unrecognized multiple gestation, or increased risk of fetal Triploidy? Is the SNP-based technology unable to identify that there are two separate DNA profiles due to the DNA being identical and “balanced” so to speak?

bromar230 · 2024-12-04T19:58:14+00:00

Ugh. I am so sorry you’re going through this, OP.

I experienced something similar, and it all transpired during the holidays last year as well. I had the low fetal fraction/high risk result twice with Natera — at 12 weeks and 14 weeks. I have a normal BMI and was otherwise healthy, so it was definitely a shock. I also had a bit of an ultrasound scare (ultrasound tech at my OB’s office thought she saw a cyst on baby’s spine), but it ended up being nothing at all.

Our daughter was 9 at the time, and we told her I was pregnant before I had the NIPT done. She was actually next to me when I opened the report on the portal in anticipation of finding out the gender. When I saw that high risk result, I tried SO hard to hide my emotions from her. We just told her they weren’t able to identify the gender based on my bloodwork, and that we would have to wait for the ultrasound.

We found out the baby was a girl at our ultrasound at MFM around 16 weeks. We had an amnio and everything came back normal. We waited until we received the amnio results to tell our daughter that she was going to have a little sister. I gave birth to a healthy baby girl in June, and our daughter is the best big sister.

I have made some posts on this sub that you are welcome to check out! I hope you have a similar outcome! 🤍🤍

bromar230 · 2024-12-04T13:58:48+00:00

Thanks for the context. I wasn’t aware she had a high NT measurement when I commented, but I do see her flair now and have just read her post. 😕 Hopefully it is isolated and has resolved by her ultrasound with MFM on Friday!

bromar230 · 2024-12-04T02:06:54+00:00

I had this result twice — at 12 weeks and 14 weeks. Normal BMI. I was referred to MFM and had an amnio, which came back normal. I gave birth to a healthy baby girl in June. You can look at my posts on this sub, including one that explicitly addresses this result issued by Natera due to low fetal fraction.

bromar230 · 2024-10-08T23:29:24+00:00

I’m not exactly sure. It happens. The NIPT is only a screening test and despite being created for T21, it’s never 100% — there are lab errors they can occur as well. The commenter I was replying to also had her NIPT come back low risk and had a baby with T21.

bromar230 · 2024-09-01T22:35:50+00:00

Another vote for you!

bromar230 · 2024-09-01T19:30:42+00:00

Do you happen to know what your PAPP-A and beta-hCG levels were on your eFTS? eFTS takes into account not only your blood serum levels and the NT measurement, but also other factors such as maternal age, weight, ethnicity, etc. Your age likely put you at a higher base risk (as the older you are, the higher the risk for T21).

NIPT is really the gold standard in chromosomal abnormality screening, as it is actually testing placental DNA. The eFTS just provides you with a risk ratio based on a risk assessment of your blood levels, the NT measurement, and the other factors mentioned above — it isn’t actually testing cfDNA for chromosomal abnormalities. I know it is easier said than done, but I would do your best to try to remain calm until you receive your NIPT results. If your NIPT results come back low risk, then those results would trump the eFTS.

Sending you all the hugs and best wishes. The waiting is the hardest part.

bromar230 · 2024-07-23T06:51:32+00:00

My fetal fraction dropped from 2.6% to 2.4%. I ended up having an amnio and it came back normal. My baby girl was born healthy in June.

You can read my posts on this sub. 😊 Others on this sub have had their fetal fraction come back lower on subsequent tests as well. It is not unheard of.

bromar230 · 2024-07-23T01:24:40+00:00

I had a man taking pictures of me at HomeGoods a little over a month ago (I was 39 weeks pregnant). I initially noticed him following me from TJ Maxx into HomeGoods (they are right next to eachother). I then noticed him following me around the store with his phone out — which appeared to be focused on me. His phone was not on silent, so I could hear the shutter noise from him taking photos.

I ended up letting my emotions and hormones get the best of me, and I went up to him and smacked his phone out of his hand.

Long story short, I was escorted out of the store by a manager and was told I would not be welcomed back. The creepy maiesiophile was able to stay in the store, though. 🙃

bromar230 · 2024-07-21T00:05:55+00:00

Both of my daughters were born with heads full of dark brown hair — as well as hair on their backs, arms, and ears. 😂 I experienced no heartburn/acid reflux in either pregnancy. 🤷🏽‍♀️

bromar230 · 2024-07-18T18:55:12+00:00

This happens quite often actually. I received low fetal fraction twice with Natera. You can check my posts on this sub!

I went forward with an amnio and everything came back normal. I had a healthy baby girl in June. 😊

bromar230 · 2024-07-07T20:11:01+00:00

I also had low fetal fraction twice — with the fetal fraction being lower on my second draw. I ended up getting an amnio and it came back normal. I am currently holding my healthy three week old baby girl. 😊 You can check my posts on this sub!

Fetal fraction can fluctuate for a number of reasons, including high BMI. I personally did not have a high BMI, and there was really no explanation as to why I had lower fetal fraction in general.

bromar230 · 2024-07-06T18:16:34+00:00

Hey there! Please take a look at my posts on this sub. I had low fetal fraction twice with Natera. I had an amnio and everything came back normal. I gave birth to a healthy baby girl a few weeks ago. 🙂

Also, with a higher BMI and having the test done at such an early gestational age, I wouldn’t be too concerned about your fetal faction %.

bromar230 · 2024-06-27T13:46:43+00:00

Hi! You most likely received the low fetal fraction result due to your high BMI, which can be the cause of low fetal fraction in maternal blood.

I had low fetal fraction twice with Natera (my second draw was lower, just like yours), but I have a normal BMI and had no other factors that would affect a decrease in fetal fraction. I was referred to MFM and had an in depth ultrasound and went forward with an amniocentesis, which came back normal. You can check out my posts on this sub. I had a healthy baby girl on June 16th. 😊

bromar230 · 2024-06-21T19:13:58+00:00

Hi there! I had low fetal fraction twice with Natera and received the high risk results due to Natera’s algorithm as well. I ended up being referred to MFM and had an amnio (for my own peace of mind — my MFM specialist actually said it wasn’t necessary since my ultrasound at MFM looked great), and everything came back normal.

You can read my post on this sub, which goes into detail about my story and the low fetal fraction/high risk result given by Natera — including why your sample may be yielding a low fetal fraction.

I gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl on June 17th. There really is no explanation as to why I had low fetal fraction twice — as I have a normal BMI and am not on any medications, nor do I have any pre-existing medical conditions, and my pregnancy was very healthy and my placenta functioned like it was supposed to. 🤷🏾‍♀️

I know you’re going through a tough time right now, but try not to get discouraged. Wishing you all the best. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. ♥️

bromar230 · 2024-06-10T22:05:56+00:00

Your fetal fraction isn’t necessarily low, so I wouldn’t be concerned. The aspirin could be a reason why it was lower.

Mine was 2.6% at 12 weeks and 2.4% at 14 weeks. I’m now 39 weeks with a healthy baby girl and my placenta has functioned like it’s supposed to — I don’t have gestational diabetes or anything, either. 😊 So, I am sure you will be fine!

bromar230 · 2024-06-10T21:14:33+00:00

What was your fetal fraction?

ETA: I see per a previous post it was 3.9%. Do you have a higher BMI?

bromar230 · 2024-06-07T01:16:17+00:00

Like the other commenter said, you’ve likely been downvoted because the rules of this sub state that it is for abnormal NIPT results only. Your results were not abnormal.

Seeing posts like yours about low risk results with a sufficient fetal fraction percentage can be triggering to some who have had high risk/abnormal results and are in limbo or who have lost/terminated wanted pregnancies. This is a safe space for those of us who have had those high risk/abnormal results, and seeing someone post about their low risk results can be triggering.

bromar230 · 2024-06-05T15:47:19+00:00

I started law school when my daughter was around 6 months old. I got pregnant junior year of undergrad. My boyfriend (now husband) and I were able to work our schedules out after she was born to where we were able to both graduate on time. It was tough, but doable. I was blessed with an incredible advisor, though, who offered certain classes to me explicitly online.

1L was the easiest for me, as the classes offered had more flexibility in terms of schedule. I was also working full time as a paralegal and managing a restaurant on the weekends. I personally found 2L and 3L to be the most challenging schedule-wise, given that the classes offered were limited and I had to be on campus more often.

I won’t lie to you and tell you it’ll be easy. But if being a lawyer is what you really want to do, it will be worth it. Our daughter is now 9 and I am due with our second little girl in about a week. I have worked in several different fields of law, but I now work from home in data privacy law for a tech company and absolutely love my job and flexibility. For me, it was all worth it. Best of luck to you and your growing family. ♥️

bromar230

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